Game 44: Devils at Comets

Ben Birnell

Friday

Jan 18, 2019 at 2:53 PM

The Utica Comets look to extend their point-streak to four games when they continue a five-game homestand against Binghamton. The Comets are set to wear their black-and-green jerseys for the second of three consecutive games.

What: Binghamton Devils at Utica Comets.

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Where: Adirondack Bank Center at Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Broadcast: KROCK 94.9 FM; watchtheahl.com

Records: Comets (22-17-3-1; 48 points, tied for 1st in the North based on points); Devils (19-20-4-0), 42 points, 5th in the North.)

eason series: Binghamton leads the eight-game series 4-2-0-0.

Last meeting: Binghamton won 1-0 on Dec. 27 in Utica.

Comets lines/pairings:

Pyatt-Gaudette-Boucher

Dahlen-Gaunce-MacEwen

Bancks(C)-Darcy-Lind

MacMaster-Woods-Gadjovich

McEneny-Sifers (Birthday; A)

Brisebois-Blujus

Graham-Saucerman

Kulbakov

About the Comets: Utica has won back-to-back to games and 6-1-1-0 in the last eight following a 5-4 victory over Syracuse on Wednesday. The Comets are tied for first place in the North Division with Rochester, though they have five more games. The Comets have gone 15-7-2-1 in the last 25 games since dropping into eighth place in the North. … The Comets are 4-0-1-0 in the last five games and have not lost at home in regulation since Dec. 27 against Binghamton. The Comets are 11-9-1-0 at home this season … The Comets have killed off 26 of their last 30 penalties, including going 6-for-7 on Wednesday against Syracuse. Utica, which ranks 10th on the kill, has gone 16-of-21 on the kill against Binghamton this season. … Zack MacEwen has a goal and four assists during a three-game point streak. He has 34 points in 42 games, which surpasses his 33 from last season. He has a team-best 3 goals and five points against Binghamton this season. … Brendan Gaunce continues a career-best eight-game point streak, totaling nine points (4-5-9). He has a goal and three points against Binghamton this season. He’s three points from reaching 100 in his time with the Comets. … Carter Bancks became the fourth player in Comets’ history to reach 100 points with an assist in Wednesday’s game. He’s also 17 games from tying Darren Archibald’s record for games played with the Comets. ... Jonathan Dahlen has a three-game point streak totaling four points (3-1-4). That includes a two-goal game Wednesday against Syracuse. The rookie is 11-11-22 in 39 games.

About the Devils: Binghamton has a five-game point streak (4-0-1-0) following a 1-0 overtime loss to Hershey on Wednesday. The team is 5-4-1-0 in the last 10 games. … Binghamton has won three of its last five road games -- including two at Utica. They outscored Utica 5-3 in those games. Binghamton is 7-11-2-0 on the road this season. … Eric Tangradi was suspended three games for a hit a on Jonathan Dahlen and one game for a hit on Ashton Sautner back in December. He didn’t play in either of the last two meetings against the Comets. … Cam Johnson is 2-0-0 with a 1.52 goals-against average against the Comets this season. He’s winless in four of his last five starts. Rookie Evan Cormier has started five of the last six games.

Transactions: Tanner Kero was called up by the Canucks on Thursday. … Luke Schenn was assigned to the Comets Thursday after Vancouver acquired him in a trade. It is unclear when he will join the team. Michael Leighton was signed to a PTO on Tuesday. He has not played yet. … Alex Sakellaropoulos was released from his PTO on Tuesday. … Adam Gaudette was assigned back to the Comets on Sunday. He played Wednesday … Jagger Dirk was assigned back to ECHL Kalamazoo on Saturday. … Craig Wyszomirski was released from his PTO last Friday.

Injuries: Wacey Hamilton missed Wednesday’s due to a lower-body injury. It is unclear what his timeline is. … Brendan Woods hasn’t played since Dec. 7 due to a lower-body injury. He skated in a normal jersey Tuesday and Thursday. He could be an option for the weekend. ... Vincent Arseneau has missed the last four games with an undisclosed injury. He skated in a red no-contact jersey Thursday during a very optional practice. ... Jalen Chatfield (foot) remains out with a timeline for return set for the end of the month or earlier February. He skated after main practice in a red no-contact jersey Tuesday. ... Ashton Sautner has been out following a hit to the face by Binghamton’s Eric Tangradi on Dec. 8. He skated after main practice in a red no-contact jersey Tuesday. His announced timeline is the end of January/early February. ... Olli Juolevi is out for the regular-season after having knee surgery on Dec. 18, according to the Canucks. He was injured in November. ... Goaltender Richard Bachman was injured Dec. 21. He’s done for the season with an Achilles injury, according to the Canucks.

Comets active leaders: Reid Boucher 17-20-37

Zack MacEwen 15-19-34

Brendan Gaunce 12-12-24

Jonathan Dahlen 11-11-22

Evan McEneny 4-15-19

Comets goaltenders: Ivan Kulbakov 3.63/.889/9-7-3

Michael Leighton (3 games with Ontario/No starts for Utica): 4.46/.859/1-1-0

Power play

UTI - 39/200 – 19.5%, 13th

BNG – 23/171 – 13.5, 31st

Penalty kill

UTI - 32/183 – 82.5%, 10th

BNG - 44/198 – 77.8%, 27th

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